What is an exclusive publishing contract for “perpetuity”?

What is an exclusive publishing contract for “perpetuity”?

A successful music publisher is looking to sign and pitch songs for an ad campaign that needs music. I am going to submit my song for possible selection. If my song is chosen I will be offered up an exclusive publishing contract for perpetuity. I know that exclusive rights mean they have ownership and control over the song for a specified period of time but the “perpetuity” scare me. What exactly does this mean? The word itself means forever. Does this mean they have the rights to my song to use my song forever and that I can’t ever use this song or pitch this song to anyone else? or does it just mean they have the right to use that song whenever they want?

Asked on March 9, 2012 under Business Law, South Carolina

Answers:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.